Fastening strip for synthetic turf

ABSTRACT

A fastening strip for anchoring the margins of synthetic turf for lawns, golf courses or game playing fields to a dirt base includes horizontal and vertical flanges with the horizontal flange resting on the surface of the dirt base and having upstanding angularly projecting teeth to hook the backing of the synthetic turf and providing a flat bonding surface for gluing the turf backing to the strip. The vertical flange extends into a narrow slot in the ground and is provided with stamped loops for receiving thin flat stakes with tapered edges which wedge in the loops and firmly anchor the strip to the dirt base.

FASTENING STRIP FOR SYNTHETIC TURF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various arrangements for anchoring synthetic grass of artificial turf to a dirt base are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 3,418,897; 3,407,714 and 3,433,137. The present invention provides a fastening strip and stake for securing the margin of the synthetic turf to a dirt base which is inexpensive to manufacture and install.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides a fastening strip for securing the perimeter or margin of artificial or synthetic turf to the dirt base of the playing field. The fastening strip can be manufactured in convenient lengths, such as 8 to 14 feet, and includes a horizontal flange which rests on the surface of the dirt base and a vertical flange which extends into a narrow slot formed in the dirt base with a lawn edger. The horizontal flange includes angularly projecting teeth which pierce the web or backing of the synthetic turf. The horizontal flange also serves as a bonding surface for adhesively uniting or bonding the backing of the turf to the strip. Spaced loops on the vertical flange receive flat stakes with tapered edges which wedge in the slots and firmly secure the fastening strips to the dirt base.

Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a synthetic turf fastening strip in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the application of the synthetic turf to the edging strip.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the synthetic turf anchored to the fastening strip.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a playing field showing the location of the fastening strips.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physicalembodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a fastening strip formed from angle iron and having a horizontal or first flange l2 and a vertical or second flange 14 at right angles with the flange 12. The flange 12 has a broad, flat horizontal surface 16 which serves as a bonding surface for adhesively uniting the backing 18 of the synthetic turf 20 to the strip 10 as subsequently described. In use the flange l2 rests horizontally on the upper surface of the dirt base 19. To secure the fastening strip to the backing 18 while the adhesive is setting, the flange 12 has a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting teeth 22 which can be stamped from the flange 12.

In the disclosed construction the vertical flange 14 has the same width as the flange l2 and extends into a thin slot 24 in the dirt base 19. The slot 24 can be formed in the dirt base 19 with a conventional lawn or garden edger (not shown).

Means are provided for securing the strips 10 to the dirt base 19. In the disclosed construction the means comprises spaced stake loops 28 stamped or otherwise formed in the flange 14. The loops 28 include a flat loop run or portion 29 parallel with flange l4 and connecting or linking portions 30 joining the flat portion 29 to the flange 14. The strip 10 is secured to the dirt base by stakes 32 which, in the disclosed construction, have a single tapered edge 34. Alternatively, the edge 36 can also be tapered. The edges 34 and 36 wedge between the linking portions 30 when the stakes 32 are driven. The flat portions 29 are spaced from the surface 31 of flange 14 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the stakes to provide clearance to receive the stakes 32 and provide a snug fit. The loops 28 are located intermediate the height of flange l4 and the taper of the stakes is such that the top 37 of the stakes is located beneath the flange 12 and the surface of the dirt base to avoid interference with the turf 20.

In installation of synthetic turf 20 using the fastening strips 10 of the invention, the slot 24 is formed in the ground with the edger and the strips 10 inserted with the horizontal flange 12 resting on the horizontal surface 42 of the dirt base 19, with the teeth 22 projecting outwardly towards the margins 43 of the playing field 45. The stakes 32 are then driven into the dirt base 19 to firmly anchor the strips. An adhesive 46 is applied on the upper surface 16 of flange 12 and the synthetic turf anchored to the teeth 22 as the turf is stretched over the strips 10 with a carpet stretcher. The teeth firmly retain the turf 20 while the adhesive is setting.

The strips 10 can also be curved for arcuate playing field margins. Spaced partial slots 47 (FIG. 1) can be provided in flange 12 between the teeth 22 to facilitate bending of the strips.

What is claimed is:

l. A fastening strip for anchoring the margin of synthetic turf to a dirt base comprising a strip having first and second interconnected flanges, said first flange adapted to rest in a generally horizontal position on a dirt base, provide a bonding surface for adhesively bonding the turf to said strip, and said first flange having upturned teeth extending outwardly toward the edges of the synthetic turf for piercing the backing of said synthetic turf and said second flange being at right angles with said first flange and being adapted to be received in a generally vertical slot in the dirt base, spaced stake apertures on said said second flange, said stake apertures being defined by loops stamped from said second flange and stakes extending through said loops, and said loops having a loop run extending generally parallel to said second flange and spaced from said second flange by a distance sufficient to receive said stake and provide a snug fit with said stake and linking portions connecting said loop run to said second flange and engagable with the edges of said stakes.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said loops are located intermediate the width of said second flange.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stakes are formed from flat strip stock and have a tapered edge the full length of said stakes and a maximum width such that the upper ends of said stakes are located below said first flange when said stakes are wedged in said loops.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1 including spaced slots in said first flange between said teeth. 

1. A fastening strip for anchoring the margin of synthetic turf to a dirt base comprising a strip having first and second interconnected flanges, said first flange adapted to rest in a generally horizontal position on a dirt base, provide a bonding surface for adhesively bonding the turf to said strip, and said first flange having upturned teeth extending outwardly toward the edges of the synthetic turf for piercing the backing of said synthetic turf and said second flange being at right angles with said first flange and being adapted to be received in a generally vertical slot in the dirt base, spaced stake apertures on said said second flange, said stake apertures being defined by loops stamped from said second flange and stakes extending through said loops, and said loops having a loop run extending generally parallel to said second flange and spaced from said second flange by a distance sufficient to receive said stake and provide a snug fit with said stake and linking portions connecting said loop run to said second flange and engagable with the edges of said stakes.
 2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said loops are located intermediate the width of said second flange.
 3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stakes are formed from flat strip stock and have a tapered edge the full length of said stakes and a maximum width such that the upper ends of said stakes are located below said first flange when said stakes are wedged in said loops.
 4. A device in accordance with claim 1 including spaced slots in said first flange between said teeth. 